Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Comilla have vandalized a signboard installed at the historic residence of language movement pioneer and martyred freedom fighter Dhirendranath Dutta, triggering widespread debate and mixed reactions on social media.
The incident took place on Friday night at the residence beside Dharmasagar in Comilla city. The NCP leaders said they took the action to prevent the historic property from being sold and to press for its preservation as a national heritage site and conversion into a memorial museum.
Videos showing the signboard being smashed have since gone viral on social media.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Aroma Dutta, granddaughter of Dhirendranath Dutta and a former two-time member of parliament from a reserved women's seat.
Local sources said demands for the renovation and preservation of the house, as well as the establishment of a memorial museum, have been raised on several occasions. However, no effective initiative has been taken to implement them.
Recently, Aroma Dutta installed a signboard at the property, claiming ownership through inheritance. She is the daughter of Sanjib Dutta, the only son of Dhirendranath Dutta.
The signboard identified Aroma Dutta as the legal heir and rightful owner of the land. It also mentioned her father's name and the relevant land identification details.
NCP leaders alleged that the property was being prepared for sale and that parts of the old structure had already been removed. Claiming that the signboard was part of an attempt to sell the property, they said they smashed it to prevent the sale of the historic residence.
Eyewitnesses said NCP leaders arrived at the site in the evening and first spoke about the importance of preserving the historic house. They subsequently smashed the signboard installed in front of it.
In a press release issued on Friday night and signed by Comilla Metropolitan NCP Member Secretary Masumul Bari Kawsar, the party described the residence as more than an ordinary building, calling it an important national heritage site closely associated with the Language Movement and the Liberation War.
The statement said the property should not be treated as an object of private commercial transactions and should instead be preserved through a state-led initiative. The party also announced plans to submit written applications to the government and relevant authorities seeking its preservation.
Speaking around 10 pm, Masumul Bari Kawsar said, “We have smashed the signboard to protect a historic house. There is no other motive behind our action.”
He said they hoped the government and Aroma Dutta, as the property's legal heir, would support their initiative.
He also warned that any attempt to sell the land or construct a multi-storey building there would be resisted with the participation of local residents.
Responding to the incident, Aroma Dutta said the property was her ancestral home and that she was its legitimate legal heir, a fact known to the people of Comilla.
“What I decide to do with this property—whether to preserve it or sell it—is entirely my personal matter. But smashing a legally installed signboard at a house in this manner at night is deeply regrettable. I will inform the administration about the incident,” she said.
Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Model Police Station Touhidul Anwar said police had not yet received any information or complaint regarding the destruction of the signboard.
He added that the matter would be investigated if a complaint was filed.
Historical Background
Dhirendranath Dutta occupies a prominent place in the history of Bangladesh's Language Movement. On February 23, 1948, he made a historic intervention in Pakistan's Constituent Assembly, demanding that Bangla be recognised as a state language alongside Urdu and English.
On the night of March 29, 1971, Pakistani occupation forces abducted him and his son, Dilip Kumar Dutta, from their residence in Comilla. Neither was ever seen again.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Language Movement and the Liberation War, Dhirendranath Dutta was posthumously awarded the Independence Award in 1997.
His granddaughter, Aroma Dutta, served as a member of parliament from a reserved women's seat during the 11th and 12th national parliaments.